Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, in partnership with Safaricom, the largest mobile operator in Kenya, has launched a U8220 mobile phone, which is powered by the Google Android operation system that will be able to support high speed Internet access.

The phone, first of its kind in the market entails a 3.5 – inch HVGA touch screen, the largest among all Android phones. It also features innovative canvas profile which enables users to switch freely between six default extended screens.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Operations Officer Huawei Technologies Kenya, Radoslaw Kedzia said, “We are launching Huawei U8220 Android phone in the Kenyan Market making it the first to enjoy this high-tech phone in the whole of Africa. Customers will use various applications freely powered by the Google Android software at affordable price. The launch also reflects our long term investment to develop high-tech devices which will enable users explore various unique applications that satisfies their needs.’

“I believe that World-leading operators are looking for differentiated and innovative products to increase revenue from the increasingly saturated terminals market hence the mutual partnership with Safaricom.” Added Mr. Kedzia.

Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Joseph said, “We take this opportunity to laud Huawei Technologies for taking the leadership to formally launch the first Android phone in Kenya. Safaricom and Huawei have been collaborating for several years now and this joint initiative is an example of cooperation between the most innovative companies in the fields; Safaricom is the Kenyan telecommunication arena. Safaricom is in the middle of revolutionizing its use of the internet to change people’s lives and Huawei is an important partner to the end.”

Presiding the event, Dr. Bitange Ndemo, PS Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology said, “I would like to commend the efforts of Huawei Technologies and Safaricom in ensuring that Kenyans access innovative products. I am confident that as we work towards achieving Vision 2030, we will take advantage of collaborating with companies that are more innovative to improve our economic development. These include the recent arrival of fibre optic cable into the Kenyan Market and we are already launching a new innovative phone in the sub Saharan Africa thus making a step into fulfilling our vision.”

Other features of the phone include, sleek chrome cover and HSDPA, Wi-Fi, and GPS capabilities. The U8220 will be sold in all Safaricom outlets around the country with a retail price of around Kshs. 27,000.

I bought the phone. Actually bought 2, one for me and one for my partner. I fell in love with it. But like love at first sight the honeymoon period soon finished. I wish I had saved my money and gone for a decent brand. The great thing about the phone is it is Android and I love the aps, but the battery goes in less than 6 hours. They say to disable the google updates etc… but that’s why I bought the pigging phone in the first place.

Then phone number 2 screen goes funny.
They tell us we got water inside it.
We’ve not had it NEAR water.
And now we have to repair it at our own expense… and the so called appointed service agents are not aswering our enquiries.

The phone is just chinese,cheap and unreliable.The battery just cant last! People are buying the phone because they believe that Safaricom cannot offer them a raw deal, to some extend this is true but for this particular case Safaricom has been used to rip off kenyans. Safaricom could have tested this phone very well before they allowed this offer to go on.